Sewer form or the like



Jan. 1:"5,` 1929.

ATTOR NEYS Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. READING, F DETROIT,v MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING CO., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

SEWER FORM OR THE LIKE.

My invention'relates to a form adaptable for use in molding tubular concrete structures such as sewers and the like.

An object isto provide such a form which is capable of being readily and quickly assembled and disassembled; which is strong, sturdy and simple in construction; whichY supports the concrete poured thereover in such a manner that, when the tubular concrete structure is completed its inner surface will be smooth, finished and unbroken; and which form comprises elements adaptable for use in thebuilding of tubular concrete structures of different diameters.

I provide a series of sustaining rings or hoops which are readily demountable and which are of different diameters and for use therewith I provide a `series of arcuate flexible metal plates adapted to be secured upon the rings, which plates conform to rings of different diameters within determined limits. Plates and rings have heretofore been used in forms of this character lbut I provide novel securingI meansto fasten the plates to the rings which means are of such a character as to exert a tension on'the plates tending to hold them radially against the rings.

These securing means also exert an angular tension on the plates and rings in a direction linearly of the plates, which holdsV successive Vseries of plates upon the rings and secui'es the form together in a linear direction. The securing means is of such a character as to permit the assembly and disassembly of the form with the minimum amount of labor and in the least possible period of time. Y

My improved form is adapted for use in either open cut or tunnel type of construc- 40 tion. 'Ihe lower segment of the sewer may lbe formed first by'hand, if desired, and the upper portion only poured over the form or substantially the enitre tubular lconcrete structure may be poured about the form.

The above advantages and meritorious features together with others will more. vfully appear from the following description, 'appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view partly broken away through a form embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through a form embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a fragment of one of the plates.

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional (View showing the means for securing the plates to the rings.

My improved form comprises a plurality of channeled hoops or sustaining rings indicated as 10. These rings are formed in two segments as shown and are provided with turned over ends 12, which abut against supporting blocks 14 and bolts 16 are used to secure the two segments of the ring together. Removal of the bolts 16 and the/blocks 14 permits the disassembly of the rings.

These rings are U-shaped in cross-section or of channeled construction-and they support a` series of arcuate plates 18. The rings and the plates are preferably made of metal and the plates are capable of being distorted to engage, within certain limits, rings of different diameters. Sutlicient plates are provided to construct forms of different diameters and the plates are of relatively narrow width.

Each plate is provided with a strip 24 extending along one edge which en ages underneath the linear edge of the ad]acent plate. I have here shown these plates as being of a length to be supported upon three sustaining rings and in this instance the strips 24 are V cut into two sections positioned on opposite sides of the intermediate ring.

Each plate is provided at'each end with inwardly projecting apertured ears 20. rIlwo of these ears or lugs are here shown at each end spaced circumferentially with respect to the plate. These lugs abut the sides of the channeled rings and cooperate with retain# ing devices to secure the plates to the rings.

The retaining devices are exceedingly simple in characterand consist of slightly resilient angular or L-shaped metal wedges 22. As shown in the drawing, one arm of the wedge is pointed and this arm is projected through the aperture in the lug 2O and over the adjacent side of the channeled ring. It a plate is received over a ring of a diiilerent diameter from that normal to the plate and does not seat readily against the ring as will in some instances be the case due to the fact that these plates are used with rings of different diameter, the retaining wedges 22 will serve to draw the plate into engagement with the ring. rllhis will be apparent from an inspection of Fic'. t. It will be seen that as the Wedge is driven in to the position shown in dotted outline it will draw'the plate down upon the ring. It will also exert a tension linearly of the plate tending to hold the ring closely against the lug 2O on the plate.V

ln the completing of the itorm with successive linear sections, it will be 4seen that these wedges will'hold the several sections together 'as well as hold the plates radially upon the ring. rlhese retaining wedges eX- ert, therefore, a relative angular tension upon the'rings and plates which serve not only to hold the plates in place upon the ring-s but ltofhold the several successive vlongitudinal sections of the form together. They are readily-removed by being withdrawn from the apertures in the lugsand the form is there fore readily disassembled and moved fori ward to a new position.

What I claim is: l. A structure ofthe class described comprising a plurality of channeled rings, a plu# Y iality of arcuate plates supported thereupon,

each plate provided in close pr Ximity to but spaced from its ends with inwardly projecting apertured lugs abutting the rings, and an L-shaped securing device for each apertured lug having one arm wedged through the aperture in the lug and over the adjacent side of the ring against the tension of the other aiin which engages the plate at a point spaced from the ring.

2. Ak structure of the class described comprising a plurality of channeled rings` a plu rality of arcuate plates supported thereupon. eachplate provided in close proximity to but spaced from each end with a pair of inwardly aro'ectimr a ertured lugs abuttinfr the ad'al l e e e .l

cent side of the channeled ring at such end of the plate, and a resilient L-shaped securing device for each apertured lug' having one arin wedged through the aperture in` the lug and over the adjacent side of the ring against the tension of the other arm which engages the platev at a point spaced from the ring.

' 3. A structure of the class described coinprising a plurality of channeled sustaining rings, arcuate plates supported upon the ringsand provided with apertured lugs abutting the sides of the rings, resilient L-shaped wedges each having one arm engaged through a-n aperture in a lug and overthe adjacent Side of the YKring and the other arm wedged i therewith.

5. In a structure of the` class. described, ,a channeled sustaining ring, .an .arcuate plate receivable thereover, saidplate provided with a lug abuttingpne side of the ring, a wedge member received through said lug over the adjacent-side ofthe-ring and exerting a tension on the ring and plate tending to hold the plate radially against the-circumferenceof the ring and endwise against'the-side otfthe rino'.

"di A structure ofthe class described coinprising rings, plates supportedthereupon,-=

said plates provided with abutments engagingthe sides oft-he rings, angular securing devices connecting said abutments to V:the rings against linearseparation and exert-ing aj tension on theplatesy holding them against the circumference of the rings.

V 7. 'ln a structure oftheclass describede ring, a' pair of platesa-rranged Aend toend and having their meeting ends supported upon the ring, each plate having-an abutment engaging one side of the ring, and a-resilient angular retaining device passing 'th-rough each abutment and sli'dably engaged over the adjacent side of thea-ing to secure its plate thereto whereby a-radial tension is exerted on the plate tendingto hold'it upon the lringand a linear ltension is exerted thereontending toi hold the ring against theabutment on the plate.

` S. A form ofthe class described-comprisino' rings,platessupportedthereon, and retaining devices -secu-ringthe plates `to the rings through slidable wedgingengagement therewith.

9. A form of the'class described-comprising a plurality of channeled rings, apluralityA of arcuate plates supported thereon, retaining devices engaging each--pl-atefwith one side ot thechanneledring exerting a wedgi-nff-action thereon holding the plate radially against the ring. A

l0. ln a form of the class described, a channeled ring, a pai-r of arcuate lplates having their meeting ends sup-ported thereupon andv provided with abutinents engaging opposite sides ofl the ring, means engaging each abutment with the adjacent side lof the ring.

il. ln a form of theclass described,a channeled ring, a :pairof arcuate plates having llt) the plate holding it against the ring and preventing linear displacement of the plate with respect to the ring.

In testimony whereof, I, J AMES J. READING, sign this specification.

JAMES J. READING. 

